The new decade will be a race to creating 100 percent sustainable companies. The companies that achieve sustainability first will be at the top of the heap by the end of the decade and those that avoid it will be closing shop.
As the Middle East turmoil creates issues with oil prices it is essential we ween ourselves off foreign oil now. If we begin now the changes could be implemented rapidly and we can conceivably be free of foreign oil by the year 2020. The time to create a business that is profitable and self sustainable is now and these ten solutions will help this happen.
No.1. Solar Developers Install Solar Units At No Cost to Owner & Become Utility
Some businesses are resistant to commit to solar power due to the exorbitant cost. Here is a creative solution that will cost the owner zero to convert to a 100 percent solar company. Solar companies can make agreements with business owners to build the solar energy producing electric units and install the solar panels at no cost .
The solar energy installer will then have an agreement with the business owner to be their utility. This will result in the solar energy installer receiving income on a monthly payment basis. This can be a 10 year commitment all the way to 20 year commitment. This agreement can end after the solar company has made their expected profit or they continue on with a maintenance agreement.
No.2. Convert Long Haul Fleets to Combination of Bio Fuels, Natural Gas & Electric
Long haul trucking is a major issue with not only a companies carbon footprint but their massive consumption of diesel fuel. By converting these 18 wheel fuel hogs into alternative fuel vehicles, money will be saved by the major companies and their carbon footprint will be reduced.
Companies with major long haul trucking fleets should be pouring money into research to create an electric long haul truck experiment. Obviously the battery is the issue that must be solved. A potential solution for long haul trucks? Solar may be another possibility but the battery cell will also need to be developed. The key is to not dismiss any ideas and create solutions now.
No.3. Create Plans to Lower Energy Costs By 15-20 Percent by End of Decade
Energy surveys have been around for years but most companies never follow up on them. A commitment to an energy survey will lead to insulation fixes, better door closers to keep energy in the warehouse or office and more efficient heating and air conditioning systems. This will not only add money to the bottom line, it will lead to less pull on the electric output of the building.
No.4. Conversion of Vehicle Fleets to 100% Electric by End of Decade
Companies that have large sales staffs that rely on company vehicles can make a goal of converting their fleets to 100 percent electric vehicles. This can be done with a commitment to solar carports with electric charging stations installed for each vehicle. This will create a zero cost for fuel for the vehicles and in some cases save millions of dollars per year.
No.5. Commitment to Locally Based Product & Produce
Many major companies are committing to purchasing a majority of their products locally. By committing to the local areas it serves two purposes. The local consumers will honor the companies that are keeping their money in the local community and the carbon footprint of the company will be reduced by eliminating long haul truck transportation. This policy will also lead to a substantial increase to the bottom line by cutting transportation costs.
No.6. Conversion of Restrooms to Waterless Urinals and Water Saving Faucets
Waterless urinals are being used in most new buildings now and it is essential for companies to change out water faucets, urinals and toilets to conserve water. Companies in areas with high rain water counts will create savings by introducing rain capturing systems in parking lots and landscaping.
No.7. Reduce Office Paperwork With 100 Percent Online Communication
Office paperwork is a costly expense for many companies. The Internet will soon become a major resource for businesses to reduce paper waste by creating company policies committing to a 100 percent paperless office.
Another critical plan for companies is to shred and recycle the paper they do use.
No.8. Utilize All Possible Energy Production Opportunities
Businesses need to analyze the possible opportunities to convert factories, warehouses and offices to renewable energy. Possible solutions for large warehouses and factories in industrial locations is wind turbines.
Wind turbines are now being built to be quiet and more efficient for business use. Another solution is the new phenomenon of solar carports. The solar electricity generated by the solar carports can power most large factories.
No.9. Zero Waste Programs Lead to Reduction of Land Fill Use
Zero Waste is the new buzz word to create profits for big companies. Wal Mart is one of the larger companies that is creating programs to reduce their waste. General Motors is commit ed to creating zero waste in all of it’s factories. They currently have 62 factories with zero waste which represents 87 percent of their factories world wide.
No.10. Think Out of the Box: Paris Uses Captured Body Heat
The ideas of the next generation of of energy sources are never ending and in Paris they are thinking out of the box. The Paris Metro Station is heating an urban housing project with heat generated from Metro passengers and heat generated by trains traveling back and forth. The system will capture 100 watts per person.
sources:
www.cleantechies.com
www.thegreenmarket.com
www.yahoocontributornetwork.com
